Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Statements of Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating expenses
Operating income (loss)	$ 58,314	$ 116,794	$ 74,754	$ 58,467	$ 49,766	$ 103,347	$ 74,243	$ 54,294	$ 308,332	$ 281,651	$ 298,247
Other income									13,857	29,117	8,914
Other expense									(2,861)	(4,694)	(5,646)
Income before income taxes									240,260	228,975	298,745
Income tax benefit									79,575	65,327	102,897
Net income									160,685	163,648	195,848
Preferred dividends requirements									0	0	26
Preferred stock redemption costs									0	0	112
Net income applicable to common stock	25,112	66,407	42,032	27,133	23,112	63,818	46,686	30,031	160,685	163,648	195,710
CLECO CORPORATION (Parent Company Only) [Member]
Operating expenses
Administrative and general									2,501	1,154	1,184
Other operating expense									418	362	650
Total operating expenses									2,919	1,516	1,834
Operating income (loss)									(2,919)	(1,516)	(1,834)
Equity income from subsidiaries, net of tax									155,360	156,783	184,951
Interest, net									(2,380)	(3,350)	(2,874)
Other income									3,392	2,068	4,647
Other expense									(38)	(13)	(2,230)
Income before income taxes									153,415	153,972	182,660
Income tax benefit									(7,270)	(9,676)	(13,188)
Net income									160,685	163,648	195,848
Preferred dividends requirements									0	0	26
Preferred stock redemption costs									0	0	112
Net income applicable to common stock									$ 160,685	$ 163,648	$ 195,710